10
The college entrance exams arrived. I aced
them, securing the top spot in the state for
science. The school insisted on a celebratory
dinner, a thinly veiled bragging session. Look
at us, we produce geniuses! I’d skipped two
grades, becoming something of a local
celebrity. My parents and Alex attended the
dinner.
As always, Alex’s asthma conveniently flared
up during my celebration. My fiancée, Sophia,
<
dutifully accompanied my parents to the
hospital. Sophia’s parents, shrewd business
people, had looked down on me in my past
lives. Now, with my top scores, their attitude
had done a complete 180.
“Oh, Noah, dear! The state champion! You
look so handsome, like a prince!” Sophia’s
mom beamed, all motherly charm. “Where’s
Sophia? Why isn’t she here for your
celebration?”
Someone filled her in. “Sophia went to the
hospital with Noah’s brother. He had an
asthma attack, I think. Something about
needing emergency treatment.”
My fiancée, at my celebratory dinner,
attending to my adopted brother. How
peculiar.
<
“Since everyone’s at the hospital, let’s go see
him,” I said to Sophia’s mom. This time, I was
the star student, newly admitted to the
prestigious NDU. No one objected. We all
trooped to the hospital.
My fiancée, right now, should be with Alex.
The thought that after tonight, I could finally
sever ties with my family filled me with a
strange sense of exhilaration.
There was no one outside Alex’s room. Inside,
Sophia and Alex were…cozy.
“Alex, when will you be better? I’m so
worried,” Sophia murmured, stroking his
nose.
“Soon. I need to get better to be with you,
Alex said with a shy smile, little dimples
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<
They looked like a perfect couple. Except he
was my supposed brother, and she was my
fiancée.
The crowd behind me exchanged stunned
glances.
Sophia’s mom threw the door open. Alex
paled at the sight of so many people. She
yanked Sophia away. “What are you doing?!
Noah is your fiancé! What are you doing with
this…adopted boy?!”
Sophia pulled free, running back to Alex.
“Mom, I don’t love Noah! Who would love a
nerd like him? I love Alex! I want to break off
the engagement!”
Sophia’s mom sputtered, speechless. “This is
ridiculous! I will not allow it!”
く
My mom stepped in, grabbing Sophia’s
mom’s raised hand. “We can’t force them,
can we? Arranged marriages are outdated.”
I looked at my mom. “Were you standing
guard for them? You knew about this, didn’t
you? You kept it from me?”
Mom was silent. The looks from the others
turned speculative. Covering for her adopted
son while her biological son was being
cheated on? Unbelievable.
Dad’s voice boomed, breaking the silence.
“Look how scared you made your brother!
Can’t you handle things calmly? Do you have
to make a scene?”
“But he’s not my brother. He’s adopted.’
